Abstract
It is often assumed that a large computer, because of its great speed and large core size, will invariably provide a cheaper result than a smaller computer. There are many problems in the internal combustion engine field, however, which can be tackled economically using a small scientific computer.
Among these are design calculations for prototype engines where program utilization is not very high. The cost of developing these programs for a small machine is low and, providing the required output is matched to the speed of the machine, actual operating costs can be kept low.
Many prototype designs give rise to problems where the solution warrants a computer, but time and money are such that a full scale study using a large machine is not possible. Here the small computer can be used to give a rapid economical answer to the problem while the relatively low cost of manual intervention on such a machine often allows a very flexible approach.
Calculations for prototype engines described in this paper cover cam ordinates and their analysis and the determination of big-end bearing loads. Research problems include the effect of Poisson's ratio on thermal stress, a check on the motion of an unusual type of shock absorber and calculations to assist in the development of a small Stirling cycle engine.
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